Progress in the advancement of atomically dispersed catalysts for enhanced performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries are considered promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density and low cost of raw materials. Nevertheless, the sluggish reaction kinetics of lithium polysulfides and shuttling effect significantly restrain the practical implementation of lithium-sulfur batteries. The viable approach to enhance active material utilization and alleviate the lithium polysulfides shuttle effect involves exploring efficient catalysts to promote lithium polysulfides conversion reactions. Atomically dispersed catalysts have garnered considerable attention due to their 100 % atomic utilization, superior catalytic activity, flexible selectivity, and tunable structures. These characteristic positions atomically dispersed catalysts as having substantial potential in lithium-sulfur batteries. This review systematically outlines recent advancements in atomically dispersed catalysts designed for application in lithium-sulfur batteries. It provides brief overview of the properties, catalytic mechanisms, structural characterization and preparation strategies of atomically dispersed catalysts and comprehensively discusses factors influencing the catalytic performance. Additionally, the review illustrates various applications of atomically dispersed catalysts in lithium-sulfur batteries and outlines major challenges, perspectives, and future development for their utilization. The objective of this review is to construct relationship between the catalytic mechanism, structural regulation, and catalytic activities of atomically dispersed catalysts and to inspire more innovative ideas to develop novel atomically dispersed catalysts for high performance lithium sulfur batteries.